Lorde: Is pop sensation here to stay?

Caption2012: Gotye

Michael Buckner / Getty Images for Coachella

Breakout: The Australian singer's "Somebody That I Used To Know" was a No. 1 smash, inspiring a beautifully strange video and covers by roughly everyone on YouTube. The song won Grammys for record of the year and pop duo/group performance in 2013, and his album, "Making Mirrors," picked up the trophy for alternative music album. Now: Hasn't released any new music since 2011, and no albums or tours are in the works. Gotye is, however, one of several artists reportedly commissioned to write a piece of art to be sent into space. What happened: As I've long said, Gotye resembles that guy in college who got SO MANY girls, but also smelled bad. He probably just went back to doing that. -DM

Breakout: The Australian singer's "Somebody That I Used To Know" was a No. 1 smash, inspiring a beautifully strange video and covers by roughly everyone on YouTube. The song won Grammys for record of the year and pop duo/group performance in 2013, and his album, "Making Mirrors," picked up the trophy for alternative music album. Now: Hasn't released any new music since 2011, and no albums or tours are in the works. Gotye is, however, one of several artists reportedly commissioned to write a piece of art to be sent into space. What happened: As I've long said, Gotye resembles that guy in college who got SO MANY girls, but also smelled bad. He probably just went back to doing that. -DM (Michael Buckner / Getty Images for Coachella)

Breakout: With a ton of buzz behind him for reasons that remain unclear, the rapper and "Black and Yellow," the lead single from his album "Rolling Papers," were almost guaranteed success before the song actually arrived. The track earned Grammy nods for rap song and rap performance, but the Wiz came home empty-handed. Now: "Blacc Hollywood," the follow-up to 2012's "O.N.I.F.C."is expected later this year. Despite earning three more Grammy nominations and remaining in the public eye thanks to his relationship with Amber Rose, he's yet to connect as strongly as he did with "Black and Yellow." What happened: He's just not that good, and appearing on a song like Maroon 5's "Payphone" doesn't do a rapper any favors in the credibility department. -MP

Breakout: With a ton of buzz behind him for reasons that remain unclear, the rapper and "Black and Yellow," the lead single from his album "Rolling Papers," were almost guaranteed success before the song actually arrived. The track earned Grammy nods for rap song and rap performance, but the Wiz came home empty-handed. Now: "Blacc Hollywood," the follow-up to 2012's "O.N.I.F.C."is expected later this year. Despite earning three more Grammy nominations and remaining in the public eye thanks to his relationship with Amber Rose, he's yet to connect as strongly as he did with "Black and Yellow." What happened: He's just not that good, and appearing on a song like Maroon 5's "Payphone" doesn't do a rapper any favors in the credibility department. -MP (Natalie Cass / Getty Images for MTV)

It's impossible to deny that Lorde is having a moment. Last year, seemingly out of nowhere, the New Zealand singer became a star with "Royals," the huge lead single from her smashing debut record, "Pure Heroine." The 17-year-old artist won song of the year and pop solo performance trophies at the 2014 Grammys, and tickets for her Chicago show Tuesday at Aragon sold out in a flash. For what it's worth, she's also totally besties with Taylor Swift. Yet one big question remains: Does Lorde have staying power? She clearly has the talent, but few things are more challenging in the entertainment industry than the high-pressure follow-up. Perhaps the answer can be found in artists who also achieved near-overnight fame--some who sustained their careers, and some who fizzled out. (James Blunt and KT Tunstall are ineligible for this story as their big hits, "You're Beautiful" and "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," respectively, were instantly annoying and best forgotten.) By Dana Moran and Matt Pais RedEye@redeyechimusic